127. This is the right way of attaining the success, but even after adopting these ways of worship and performing good deeds one should not rest content or be proud that he would surely attain success because he is worshiping Allah and is doing good deeds. He should only expect that Allah will by His grace accept his services and bless him with the success.
Imam Shafai, Ahmad bin Hanbal, Abdullah bin Mubarak and Ishaq bin Rahawayah hold the view that this verse of Surah Al-Hajj requires a prostration. But Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Hasan Basri, Said bin al-Musayyab, Said bin Jubair, Ibrahim Nakhai and Sufyan Thauri dispute this. The arguments of the two sides are briefly as follows:
The former group of commentators base their opinion on the following:
(1) The verb in the verse is in the imperative mood.
(2) The tradition of Uqbah bin Amir which has been reported by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Tirmizi, Ibn Marduyah and Baihaqi, says: I asked, O Messenger of Allah! Does the merit of Surah Al-Hajj consist in the fact that it contains two verses requiring prostration? He replied: Yes, the one who does not prostrate on these two verses, should not recite them.
(3) The tradition of Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah in which Amr bin Aas says that he was told by the Prophet (peace be upon him) that there were two verses requiring prostration in Surah Al-Hajj.
(4) Sayings of Umar, Ali, Uthman, Ibn Umar, Ibn Abbas, Abul Darda, Abu Musa Ashari and Ammar bin Yasir to the effect that Surah AIHajj contains two prostrations.
The latter group of commentators argue as follows;
(1) The verse contains a command both for Sajdah (prostration) and for Ruku (bowing in prayer), which implies the whole Islamic Prayer according to the Quranic usage, and not prostration alone.
(2) The tradition reported by Uqbah bin Amir is unauthentic as it has weak links.
(3) The tradition of Amr bin Aas is also unreliable, because its reporters are not well known.
(4) As for the sayings of the companions, Ibn Abbas has clearly explained that prostration in respect of the first verse (in Surah Al-Hajj) is obligatory, whereas in regard to the second, it is only suggestive.